Authorities in Jamaica say the death toll from four days of fighting in the capital to apprehend a suspected drug boss has risen to at least 73 people, almost all of them civilians.

Police in Kingston say they have not yet found the target of the manhunt, Christopher Coke, who is facing extradition to the United States to face drugs and arms-trafficking charges.

Armed Coke supporters have been battling police in his stronghold of Tivoli Gardens, a slum area of the capital.

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has declared a state of emergency, giving security forces powers to restrict freedom of movement, search properties and detain suspects without warrants, in a bid to find the suspected kingpin.